A number of Nigerian passengers encountered significant delays and frustration after an Air France flight, traveling from Paris to Abuja, was diverted to Lomé, Togo, due to adverse weather conditions in the Nigerian capital.
The incident prompted a swift response from Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who voiced concern over the airline’s handling of the situation.
Keyamo explained that the flight was diverted to Lomé after weather conditions in Abuja made it unsafe for landing. However, he criticized the airline’s initial plan to leave the passengers in Togo overnight, despite improved weather conditions in Abuja and the aircraft’s potential return to the city.
Taking to his official X account, Keyamo expressed his dissatisfaction and revealed that he had engaged both his officials and Air France representatives to address the matter urgently. He insisted that passengers be promptly returned to Abuja or, if overnight accommodation was necessary, they should be provided with proper care in line with international standards.
“I was just alerted to the situation where mostly Nigerian passengers were left stranded in Lomé by Air France. I have insisted that those passengers must be flown back to Abuja tonight or be treated according to best international standards if they must stay in Lomé,” Keyamo wrote on Thursday night.
The incident sparked frustration among passengers, who expressed concerns over the lack of clear communication and the initial prospect of being stranded. However, reports indicate that due to the minister’s intervention, efforts are being made to return the passengers to Abuja.
